A Coppell couple who lost both of their young children in a tragic drowning accident two weeks ago helped save the life of a young Blue Ridge boy by donating their daughter's liver.

Still reeling from their own loss, Vanny and Matt Stocco decided to donate 1-year-old Catherine's organs.

Catherine and her 3-year-old brother, Marcus, died after being found at the bottom of the family's swimming pool July 8. The youngsters had apparently wandered out of their home into the back yard. Marcus' organs could not be salvaged.

Galen Horacek, 5, who was suffering from acute liver failure, received his new liver two days after the accident and is expected to be released from Children's Medical Center Dallas later this week.

Jeff Horacek, Galen's father, said his family is thankful for the Stoccos' decision.

"We were very fortunate," he said. "We thank God and the donor family."

Mr. and Mrs. Stocco said it was an easy decision to donate the organs after they learned neither of their children could be saved.

"We held in our hands the opportunity to save another family from the sadness we feel, a sadness we would spare anyone if we could," the couple said in a written statement.

Galen is not expected to have any long-term effects from his transplant, and his parents already have seen improvement in his condition.

"Compared to the last couple of weeks, he is doing marvelous," Mr. Horacek said.